The choice of equipment for the institution is an individual process, depending mainly on the format of the institution. It is recommended to start a coffee shop equipment needs list at the stage of creating a business plan. It is especially not worth taking such a risk when opening your first establishment when you do not yet know how and what should work and how much it will benefit you. And remember: any equipment must be cost-effective, and it is worth buying it only after making all the calculations.
Equipment Types
For a coffee shop to be full-equipped and multifunctional, it must have at least two types of equipment – technological and commercial. Let's consider each type in more detail.
Technological Equipment
These units provide the range and quality of products that are offered to visitors. Properly selected technological equipment will provide the shop owner with a constant increase in visitors. Based on this, it follows that the purchased units of this type must be of the highest quality and functionality.
Professional technological equipment for a coffee shop includes several types of products:
- Coffee machines;
- Coffee grinders;
- Units for pastries production.
The purchasing of these devices is caused by a type of coffee shop. That is, if you have a mini coffee truck, the list of starting a coffee shop equipment needs will be shorter (for example, there is no need for baking products).
Trade Equipment
A well-decorated shopping hall is the face of a coffee shop. Visitors are more willing to come to such establishments and many of them want to return here more than once. To equip the trading hall and show the best of the products offered in the coffee shop, you have to shell out the following products:
- A counter is a place where the staff takes orders and payments from guests. On the counter, you can place a juicer, an ice maker for cooling drinks, as well as a microwave, a mixer, and other accessories.
- You need special showcases in the coffee shop. They are refrigerated or thermal, as many products need to be stored at a certain temperature.
- In the warehouse or kitchen, you need to put shelves and a refrigerator for storing food raw.
- The hall should have comfortable furniture to accommodate guests in comfort and air conditioning, ventilation. Today it is not a luxury but a guarantee of convenience for your visitors.
- The operation of the coffee shop is also impossible without cash registers, a bank terminal, and a barcode scanner.
When everything is ready, you can start a coffee shop. Now it all depends on the professionalism of the staff and your love for your own business.
Equipment List
Quality and reliable gadgets for the coffee shop are important guarantees of work and making high-quality drinks.
Espresso Machine
Depending on starting a coffee shop equipment needs and the flow of people, you can choose a suitable coffee machine. For example, you can buy a machine that makes the drink in one touch/ How about an example when a barista does 80% of the work: whips milk and grinds coffee. Here are the main types of coffee machines for coffee shops you may need:
- Manual: a coffee device where the desired water pressure is achieved through the application of the physical force of the operator.
- Automatic: automates the process of brewing coffee. There is an electronic memory for different modes of brewing: cappuccino, espresso, latte. The automatic coffee machine for the coffee shop brews one cup of coffee for about 40 seconds.
- Semi-automatic: espresso machines create the right water pressure on their own. The operator completely controls the further preparation of the drink.
- Super-automatic: a professional coffee machine for a coffee shop can replace a barista, as it makes coffee and whips milk itself and is programmed for several dozen coffee recipes that can be prepared at the touch of a button. Of the minuses: the high price, which pays off longer, although the performance of the coffee machine is higher.
How To Choose an Espresso Machine?
To choose a coffee machine for a coffee shop, it is crucial to understand whom and how many cups a day you will prepare. For example, super-automatic coffee machines make coffee faster than other devices, but here the uniqueness is lost.
A vital attribute for specialty coffee machines is multi-boiler equipment. The multi boiler gives a stability of temperature, thereby – stability of preparation of each cup. At high flow, mono-boiler machines can lose temperature, and multi-boiler machines are more stable.
Automatic Drip Coffee Maker
For alternative coffee, you will need a drip coffee maker. You can use geyser coffee makers or a French press – they are small in volume and are suitable for brewing a couple of portions. You can even put the device on the table for guests to participate in the process of making coffee.
Travel enthusiasts will also remember that coffee from a drip coffee maker can be purchased in many foreign countries. You can find it not only in cafes and gas stations but also in much more unexpected places. So, for example, the drip coffee maker can stand in the shop so you can enjoy a cup of coffee without leaving a fitting room.
Coffee Grinder
Having a coffee grinder in the coffee shop is one of the most important start a coffee shop equipment needs. Although modern coffee-making machines can grind coffee grains on their own, the presence of a quality coffee grinder can significantly speed up the work process. Therefore, the coffee grinder takes an honorable second place in the list of necessary equipment for the coffee shop. Like coffee machines, modern coffee grinders are powerful. And it makes no sense to buy low-power equipment for a large coffee shop.
Probably, the most necessary function is the ability to produce coffee of different degrees of grinding (for example, espresso takes the tiniest fraction of grinding). Another necessary function of a coffee grinder is an in-built humidity sensor, as humidity affects the taste of the brewed beverage. As for other characteristics, it is worth taking into account the material the millstones are made of.
Baking Equipment
If you want to make your place more attractive and versatile, offer guests not only a range of coffee drinks but also high-quality pastries. The list of baking equipment is quite large, but you can use a “simplified” list for a coffee shop.
So, for a coffee shop with baking equipment, we need:
The convection oven will be useful not only for baking. It is also possible to heat ready-made products. Modern models allow you to prepare small confectionery masterpieces quickly;
To avoid wasting extra time kneading the dough, you can buy a dough mixer. This device has several modes, as well as the ability to choose the speed.
In addition, to start a coffee shop equipment needs, you may find some additional “helpers” useful. These include blenders, mixers. And, of course, you cannot do without kitchen utensils and tables for cooking.
Refrigeration System
The refrigerator is needed for the storage of milk, cream, and desserts. You can choose a refrigerator if there is a place to install a work surface. Or buy a professional refrigerator with a digital thermometer. The approximate temperature in the refrigerator should be 10-12 degrees Celsius so that milk and other products do not spoil.
Pumps & Containers
Depending on the number of seats, you need to calculate how many dishes you need. If you have four tables, you need at least 4-5 cups per table, also with plates and utensils.
Equipment for a coffee shop of the “to go” format is needed only in the work area: spoons, mugs, plates, knives. For guests, you need to buy disposable utensils: cups, lids, stirrers, and a holder for hot drinks.
Industrial blenders
You will need such equipment if you are going to cook, for example, a smoothie. Or if you have a small kitchen for baking desserts. A mixer and blender are a must to start a coffee shop equipment need list. Plus, you can use a blender to grind ice into cold drinks in the summer, such as frappe.
Showcases
The showcase is needed for the storage of desserts or ready meals: sandwiches, croissants, buns. If you plan to sell only desserts, then the usual refrigerated display case will suit you. To store warm food, you need a thermal display case that will maintain the temperature of the dish and not cool it.
Shelving & Finishing Surfaces
At the very least, shelving is needed for storing grain. The shelves are required for convenience – storage of utensils, ingredients for making coffee, and food. The coffee shop can’t work without a cutting surface. For example, you need fruit and citrus to make lemonade or smoothies. You also need to cut the cake on the cutting surface. 2-3 cutting boards will suffice.
POS System & Related Hardware
To make your business profitable, it is important to follow the analytics, be aware of current affairs and intervene in the management process in time. All this can be done with the help of an automation system that meets all start a coffee shop equipment needs.
What is a POS system?
When opening a new establishment, you have questions:
- How to keep records of payments?
- How to keep track of leftovers?
- How to issue checks to guests, etc.?
All these processes cannot be implemented without an accounting system, and paper forms are ineffective here. The first thing to do after renovating and purchasing equipment is to choose and install an automation program.
POS system is a program that automates the institution’s work and helps to keep detailed warehousing and financial accounting. A modern accounting system for a restaurant must be integrated with additional equipment, such as a bank terminal for receiving payments by card or with scanners to quickly add goods to the check. In general, the POS system can be called a single organism, and you can’t work without – the guest will not receive an order or check, and the restaurant – revenue.
How To Purchase Equipment
Professional equipment for the coffee shop can be bought new, and if the budget does not allow it, take it for rent. Let's look at the pros and cons of each purchase option.
Purchase of new equipment
Buying equipment in the store, you get a warranty from the manufacturer and service in case of failure. This is costly at the opening stage, as new equipment is many times more expensive than used. But such equipment will work longer without breakdowns.
Purchase of used equipment
You can save money by opening a coffee shop by buying used equipment. Often, stores that sell such equipment give their warranty on it, as the equipment is put in order in advance – repaired and cleaned. Of the disadvantages is that the stock of such equipment is less.
Rental of equipment for a coffee shop
A great option if you find a company with good conditions. You get new equipment, which you pay for once a month. It is more profitable to choose a lease, as this agreement allows you to buy the equipment after paying the full amount for it. It is important to get acquainted with all the conditions and choose quality equipment and a small percentage of overpayment.
One of the main start a coffee shop equipment needs is proper care. Even the most expensive coffee equipment needs professional maintenance. For the reliable operation of your coffee equipment, you need to carefully monitor its performance. Carry out the necessary cleaning daily after each shift. Comprehensive maintenance of professional coffee equipment must be carried out according to the recommendations written in the instructions.